Winter provides a great advantage–time. The hustle and bustle of the holidays is over and colder weather prevails. There’s no better time to hit the books and amp up your knowledge of important logistics and supply chain management issues.

Technology can make the difference between profit and loss in a low-margin environment. As margins squeeze ever tighter, staying current with technology can make the ultimate difference ultimate success or failure.

The cornerstone of collaborative logistics is timely visibility. Data about orders, inventory, transportation, and spend need to all funnel into a common denominator big data repository and be readily accessible.

From well-designed redundancies across intermodal shipping methods to creative solutions when the unexpected happens, Georgia’s logistics industry is positioned to help shippers connect, compete, and grow.

3PLs tout IoT as top disruptive innovation in the supply chain; Hyundai and Accenture team up to design smarter ship; TMS use has tripled over the past decade; new sustainability web platform helps shippers assess key trends and best practices.

The Internet of Things is bringing major changes to the way companies plan and execute supply chain activities as sensors, communications systems, and analytics solutions all become cheaper, faster, and more capable.

While much of the attention surrounding autonomous vehicles (AVs) is focused on self-driving cars, the real impact will be felt in the shipping, trucking and logistics industries, where AVs will have a dramatic effect.

Mobile weighing technologies meet the emerging “need for speed” trend by providing a means of weighment at the point of loading and unloading. They do this while at the same time immediately communicating a wealth of specific business and logistical data, eliminating inefficient traffic patterns, and improving safety by reducing traffic congestion.

Imagine the car in your driveway. Do you know exactly where it came from? A typical Toyota is comprised of nearly 30,000 moving parts — from the tires down to the smallest screws. Do you know, for certain, that each piece is up to standard?

Many industries, such as transportation and logistics, have deployed enterprise software to help operate and manage work processes for decades now. And, as a result, companies and the solutions providers have collected a treasure trove of information, not only about an individual company, but about the industry as a whole.

For businesses that haven't transitioned to new operating systems, time is running out to avoid the costs and risks of business disruptions. If you haven't already made a switch, here are some potential next steps.

Social media is no longer just for likes and shares. Using AI and extensive datasets, supply chain managers can stay ahead of breaking events to make the most informed decisions to help keep their products and people safe and secure.

Self-driving trucks will result in supply chain disruption; the question is “When?” Here are the essential breakthroughs that have to occur first and how many years it will take before autonomous trucks can help address the driver shortage.

Right now, there is a disconnect between shippers, carriers, and customers that does not allow for blockchain and deep analytics to be applied. A better platform for collaboration throughout the industry will drive growth and the overall success of the logistics sector.

Blockchain adoption is not as swift as it seems. The industry giants leading the charge are backing closed, permission-based blockchain initiatives, which are bound to limit their effectiveness in the long run. Here’s how to unleash the full potential of blockchain.

Robotic process automation is redrawing the logistics landscape, bringing productivity gains that are compounded across thousands of transactions in supply chains. Find out what it means for buyers of 3PL services.

Seeing what’s happening throughout the supply chain is essential in today’s always-on, omnichannel shipping environment. Here’s how businesses can gain the insight and control they need as they move their goods around the globe.

Now that the ELD Mandate has taken effect, grabbing an ELD device off the shelf may seem like a quick and effective fix. It’s not. Here’s what to look for and avoid when making this critical selection.

Many companies handle supply chain anomalies with reactive planning systems, but this approach leaves them vulnerable to disruption. One new approach to dealing with supply chain uncertainty is to use machine learning to predict what might go wrong.

Cloud technologies support innovative supply chain solutions that deliver the right goods to the right place at the right time—as quickly and cost effectively as possible. Here’s why supply chain managers should look to the cloud now.

The clarion call to digitize the supply chain is louder than ever before. In order to meet consumer demands and gain competitive advantage, shippers are retooling their supply chains to be more agile, efficient, and transparent. But where do you start? What steps can you take today?

In light of a strengthening economy, business owners, controllers, and chief financial officers (CFOs) at companies in need of shipping solutions should evaluate their fleet needs and understand their equipment and financing options.

The implementation of the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate will affect shippers’ supply chain capacity. Shippers and receivers can help with the transition and beyond by understanding the limitations that drivers face.

TruGolf initially used several providers, resulting in delayed and lost shipments and miscommunication. Not being experts in logistics, TruGolf struggled to find a single point of contact who could guide them in the problem-solving and decision-making process—resulting in ineffective time management and unhappy partners.

With more and more companies hopping on the AI bandwagon, the technology will affect supply chain planning across industries. Find out which verticals have the most to gain and how supply chain managers can make smarter decisions.

While the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) of 2011 set the guidelines and rulemaking for the Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food (STHAF) in process, there are still gaps in compliance. Here's how to address them.

The upcoming electronic logging device (ELD) mandate affects more than just the carriers and owner/operators that will be directly responsible for using the devices in their trucks. Here’s how to adjust your truckload strategy.

Supply chains must be faster and more agile than ever. Siloed systems can slow down the process, causing frustrated customers to take their business elsewhere, resulting in lost revenue, resources, and time. Here are three signs of siloed supply chains and what to do about them.

The supply chain that is supported by professional drivers often includes three or more cogs to eventually get the product safely, and on time, to the end user. When an interruption occurs within the supply chain, the professional drivers are the individuals who step up and make sacrifices to get the gears back in line.

This week presents a good opportunity to recognize the 3.5 million trucking professionals across the country whose work is some of the most personally demanding and economically significant in the United States.

More than 80 percent of U.S. communities rely exclusively on truck drivers to deliver their goods and commodities. National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, September 10-16, highlights the efforts of professional truck drivers.

Terminal operations today leverage highly integrated systems—from vehicle/fleet management, remote crane management, terminal operating systems, gate operation, position detection, and many others. So, how do we make this integration work better? The short answer—simplify and standardize.

Grocers will have to transform aggressively and adapt swiftly if they want to avoid the fate of retailers in other segments. They will need to digitize their stores and consumer experiences. Here's how they should optimize their supply chain.

Managing a business for sustained growth means finding and implementing innovative solutions to the challenges of complex supply chain logistics. To achieve lasting, repeatable innovation, check out these real-world solutions.

VMI is a way for suppliers to manage re-supply by monitoring customer stock levels and forward demand that optimizes working capital with service levels. Use these tips for best managing the VMI relationship.

The advent of autonomous vehicles is nothing short of a revolution. For the logistics world, it could mean a near end to human-caused accidents and could single-handedly eliminate the driver shortage problem.

Sometimes, for even the most critical shipments, the shipper receives information for only two data points: when the shipment left their hands and confirmation the shipment has arrived. Here's why so-called black box shipping is on its way out.

Agilent Technologies, a global high tech life sciences, diagnostics and applied chemical company applies sophisticated scientific methods provided by CorpU to implement sweeping new order fulfillment and supply chain strategies. Using the CorpU platform, and its precision tools, procedures and metrics for both engaging and educating employees, Agilent's transition from design to implementation for new supply chain plans was reduced from months to just 10 days.

Powered by the Internet of Things, the next generation control tower will extend supply chain visibility and control tower services down to the level of things – however large, small, or geographically dispersed they may be.

Same-day production and delivery is possible if communications between production and logistics is fully automated. A live experiment showed the path of an urgently needed replacement part as it moved from the initial order through production to final delivery: all in a single day.

The primary use for blockchain is improving supply chain transparency and traceability, according to a new benchmark survey focused on blockchain in supply chain management and trade finance. Other important advantages include transaction cost reductions and enhanced trust between supply chain partners.

National average spot truckload rates for van and flatbed freight rose during the week ending May 20 while the rate for spot refrigerated freight remained at its highest mark since January, according to DAT Solutions.

Senior executives have set their sights on digital and automated solutions that cut costs and plan to invest in a number of key areas over the next two years, according to the 2017 State of the Outsourcing, Shared Services, and Operations Industry report.

American Trucking Associations opened the application window for its premier industry leadership initiative, LEAD ATA. The program is searching for diverse trucking industry leaders looking to grow their careers and meet other ambitious trucking professionals.

Ready to adopt the "full circle" approach to waste elimination in your supply chain? An Accenture Strategy report finds that while companies welcome this approach, their efforts are often only skin deep. Here's how to capture the full potential of the growing circular economy.

3PL warehouses are not only in demand, but in a position of strength. This provides 3PL operators a unique opportunity to build lasting relationships with key customers, suppliers, and retailers of their choice.

With no standard terminology in an already-complex industry, it’s not surprising that so many TMS buyers have trouble figuring out the differences between solutions and which one best fits their needs. Here's how to cut through the confusion.

The shared economy leverages shared access to goods and services to allow suppliers and consumers to redistribute and reuse excess capacity. Here's why the 'shareconomy' will be a supply chain game-changer and how professionals can begin moving in that direction.

Choosing the right shipping software is critical because
it impacts your company’s bottom line. Here are eight
steps to take to ensure you choose the right solution for
your company’s individual needs.

Today, we face the slow extinction of independent owner-operators. These self-reliant business owners are now dealing with a myriad of regulations that will soon make the owner-operator model impractical, and its survival improbable.

Each year, 30 Major League Baseball teams travel for spring training and dozens of road games in a complex logistics web that's all the more incredible for its anonymity. When you're carrying all the bats, the game can't start until the truck arrives.

As wearable technologies, such as smart glasses and augmented reality, grow less expensive and more accessible, an increasing number of companies are exploring whether wearables could benefit their warehouse operation.

From item-level inventory data and GPS to condition monitoring and signals from social media, new data sources are augmenting available supply chain data. Find out how to extract value from this influx of information.

Oregon-based manufacturer Blount International was bleeding money from leaks all across its supply chain. It found that the correct application of the right data management technology provided and maintained by the right partner was the solution to the problem.

Presidential nominee stances on transportation infrastructure; New truck standards aim to reduce U.S. carbon emissions; Staffing Agencies and Colleges Work to Make Certain the Supply Chain Stays Supplied

Inbound Logistics talks to carriers and third-party logistics (3PL) providers about sure-fire ways to save money on LTL shipments and serves up a list of 18 tips that will help shippers of all types and sizes.

Brexit shakes up global supply chain; Amazon invests $3 billion in India; Hyperloop targets Russia as site for science fiction-like transit tube; Australian truckies want better working conditions; Despite the best-laid plans by multinational companies to establish trade compliance, there’s a costly risk gap between knowing and doing that may lead to fines and incarceration.

When evaluating your needs for a transportation management system it’s important to look beyond technology and consider who will manage planning and execution. Use this advice to determine if a managed service provider will deliver greater value than developing an in-house team.

Emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things, 3-D printing, collaborative robotics, self-driving trucks, drones and the Uberization of deliveries are poised to be disruptive influences on logistics in the coming years.

Supply chain logistics companies view veterans as a crucial pool of potential employees, and consequently they are using a range of methods to recruit and hire former members of the military for their workforces.

Connected, intelligent, scalable, and rapid, the digital supply network is ready to be deployed today. Companies may hold on to the dying linear supply chain, but they are closing themselves off from a strategy that operates at a lower price point and enables growth.

The St. Louis region offers an ideal transportation infrastructure to move goods, skilled labor to meet the peaks and valleys of industrial demand, and the availability of highly qualified IT personnel to manage staff and facilities.

By tapping into outsourced logistics support, shippers arm themselves with the technology, talent, and experience at a lower price than employed resources, which allow companies to invest and focus on their core competencies.

Disruption is coming to the freight and logistics industry. By seeing and understanding the full spectrum of operations, transport-oriented firms can survive and succeed in a dramatically changed environment.

STEM disciplines broaden the field of logistics and industry standards by involving process strategies, planning, implementation tactics, and optimization in supply and demand. This is a fact students are recognizing and capitalizing on.

Planners use sophisticated supply chain modeling and simulation to gauge the results of decisions before enacting them and to prepare for a range of possible scenarios. The result is better-prepared companies with a more clear view of themselves and their futures.

Through automated, rules-based wave management and replenishment, American Hotel Register Company was able to eliminate manual sortation and create multiple, tailored options to proactively release orders by type.

If there’s one lesson that we’ve learned from fine bourbon or whiskey, it’s that good things come to those who wait. Distilleries know this better than anyone. But when it’s time to get that product out the door and in the hands of distributors, the last thing a distiller wants to do is wait.

East Coast Warehouse & Distribution’s strategic port location brings both advantages and challenges. Its facility keeps supply chains rocking, serving as the crucial first step in importers’ distribution systems in the United States, through port delays and even Superstorm Sandy.

It is critical that 3PLs take a hard look at operations to determine areas for cost reduction, productivity and efficiency improvements, and opportunities for new service offerings and revenue streams.

To help combat counterfeiting, the premium beverage industry is taking advantage of serial numbers on product packages to uniquely identify each product for increased connectivity throughout packaging operations and the supply chain.

The booming liquor business has added several layers of complexity to the supply chain with the addition of many new product SKUs. Shippers are using technology, data, and collaboration to keep the supply chain moving efficiently.

Investments in pick/put-to-light technology, wearables, robotic AGVs, high-speed conveyors, voice-directed picking, and a warehouse control system equate to an automated, smart, and efficient distribution center.

A connected warehouse maximizes warehouse efficiency, as well as positions a company to decisively navigate constant changes across the supply chain. Real-time data intelligence delivers the visibility and control needed to effect measurable improvements.

A system developed by The Smart Cube pulls and aggregates information from all Elizabeth Arden’s contract manufacturers, providing a consolidated, accurate view of data across the company’s supply chain. The cosmetics giant now can see, in real time, the purchases its network of manufacturers makes on its behalf.

Good data assists fleet managers in budgeting short- and long-term costs, determining correct fleet size, and evaluating whether to lease or buy new equipment. Use these tips to get the most out lift truck fleet data.

New York State minimum wage directive may be a tipping point for automation in the fast food industry; Organic food recalls are on the rise; Alix Partners reports that nearshoring trend continues to grow; Pro truck interests take weight restriction fight in new direction; 2015 holiday shoppers are looking for options; The cash handling supply chain is poised to move from manual processing to scanning technology, thanks to the new GS1 US Cash Visibility Discussion Group.

Vehicle-to-Vehicle communications and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure technologies will revolutionize transportation by making our road system safer, more efficient, and less dependent upon the human element for effective decision-making.

Challenging weather and a remote location make delivering freight to and from Alaska a complex operation. To simplify operations, many shippers turn to transportation companies and logistics service providers that have the expertise to make sure freight flows smoothly despite the complexities.

Texas places three locations among ATRI’s top-10 congested roadways; Truck size and weight debate is a divisive topic for the transportation and logistics industry; Truck driver shortage raises new concerns and costs for shippers and carriers; Electronics supply chain poses new challenges; Demand planning is still a pain point for shippers

As intermodal grows, so do its challenges. Increasing cargo volumes create bottlenecks and congestion; while the capacity shortage has everyone scrambling. How are shippers and service providers coping? This article helps solve the dilemma.

Determining the best location for a new or expanding business in an increasingly competitive and global marketplace is challenging. These locations offer a number of advantages when it comes to meeting today’s logistics and supply chain needs.

Whether a company is looking to reduce driver turnover costs or vet a business partner to make sure it has the necessary resources to deliver acceptable customer service, maintaining a dedicated recruitment and retention strategy communicates a strong message both internally and within the extended value chain.

Inbound raw materials and components and outbound shipments that are centrally crossdocked, then line-hauled to final destination, support Lean manufacturing and ensure just-in-time inventory, writes David J. DiSanto of DiSanto & Associates.

Having a financing partner that specializes in the transportation industry is important for trucking companies because it will understand their capital needs, collateral values, and financing alternatives, says Nick Weaver, Regions Bank.

When capacity becomes tight, maintaining relationships with asset-based carriers gives shippers the peace of mind of knowing their supply chain and service will remain seamless and fluid, says Terrence M. Gilbert, CEO, New Century Transportation.

Recent pronouncements by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration signal the agency’s retreat from its statutory and historical oversight of carrier safety in favor of placing more due diligence responsibilities on shippers and brokers.

Traffic congestion and infrastructure limitations can complicate shipment deliveries in major cities. Carriers such as DHL and UPS use network engineering, communication tools, and contingency planning to ensure they meet customer needs.

Trucking load boards have evolved from bulletin boards in truck stops to sophisticated social networking-style tools on handheld computers. Charles Myers of uShip.com outlines the benefits of the evolved load board.

Electronics manufacturer Siemens switches from air freight to over-the-road transport for cross-border shipments from Mexico to the United States and Canada, cutting 35 percent from its transportation costs thanks to CFI Logistica.

Recently retired from a 40-year career with less-than-truckload carrier ABF, former president and CEO Wes Kemp shares his insights on the transportation industry, trucking regulation, and the importance of logistics and supply chain education.

Nussbaum Trucking and Wabash National collaborated with appliance maker Electrolux to create the X-duty trailer, which combines the protection and security of a dry van with the strength of a heavy-duty flatbed trailer, allowing Electrolux to use the same trucks for its inbound raw material and outbound finished goods shipments.

No longer hauling just fresh produce and other groceries, today’s truck and trailer refrigeration systems also keep other high-value loads at ideal temperatures and humidity levels so they arrive safely at their final destinations, writes Thermo King’s Tom Kampf.

Cargo theft is a greater concern than terrorism; University of Tennessee creates advisory board of shipper supply chain executives; Trucks to dominate tonnage and revenue over the next decade; State DOTs get lean and green; Inland ports grow in importance; Best Buy consolidates its brick and mortar presence

Shipping and logistics professionals facing stricter emissions regulations and rising diesel prices will have an opportunity to take control of their fleets and realize the fuel and cost savings selective catalytic reduction brings, writes Chad Dombroski of Yara North America.

Is there a war on trucking? CSA 2010, cap and trade, and Hours of Service changes are challenging the ability of truckers to operate profitably in America, says Inbound Logistics Publisher Keith Biondo

Shippers shouldn't assume all on-time performance is created equal. Make sure every dollar you spend counts by choosing carriers who provide honest, accurate metrics, and foster innovation to improve your business.

To better understand when shippers should send their packages during the holiday season, GrandCanals, the market leader in analytics-driven fulfillment, is launching an AI-powered website at where companies can view holiday ship-by predictions for 2018, updated nightly. These predictions are determined by artificial intelligence and consider both historical and current shipping trends across the GrandCanals Delivery Performance tracking network.

Self-driving trucks will result in supply chain disruption; the question is “When?” Here are the essential breakthroughs that have to occur first and how many years it will take before autonomous trucks can help address the driver shortage.

Right now, there is a disconnect between shippers, carriers, and customers that does not allow for blockchain and deep analytics to be applied. A better platform for collaboration throughout the industry will drive growth and the overall success of the logistics sector.

Blockchain adoption is not as swift as it seems. The industry giants leading the charge are backing closed, permission-based blockchain initiatives, which are bound to limit their effectiveness in the long run. Here’s how to unleash the full potential of blockchain.

Cloud technologies support innovative supply chain solutions that deliver the right goods to the right place at the right time—as quickly and cost effectively as possible. Here’s why supply chain managers should look to the cloud now.

A tighter truck market, increase in national shipments, and accelerated factory output are among the highlights of the Q3 2017 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index, which measures quantitative changes in shipment and spend activity (see chart) based on data from transactions the company processes.

With more and more companies hopping on the AI bandwagon, the technology will affect supply chain planning across industries. Find out which verticals have the most to gain and how supply chain managers can make smarter decisions.

When it comes to multimodal logistics moving freight by combining two or more transport modes Europe still lags the more advanced U.S. market, but has made steady progress, according to Colliers International's latest industrial research for the EMEA.

Choosing the third-party logistics partner (3PL) that has the resources and expertise to handle every fulfillment challenge will help suppliers adapt to ever-evolving market conditions and complex customer requirements.

Managing a business for sustained growth means finding and implementing innovative solutions to the challenges of complex supply chain logistics. To achieve lasting, repeatable innovation, check out these real-world solutions.

Sometimes, for even the most critical shipments, the shipper receives information for only two data points: when the shipment left their hands and confirmation the shipment has arrived. Here's why so-called black box shipping is on its way out.

J.B. Hunt and University of Arkansas' innovation center will enable engineering, computer science, and business researchers and students to work with J.B. Hunt employees in finding solutions to real-world problems through innovative design and technology-driven supply chain solutions.

Effectively managing this temperature-controlled supply chain is more challenging than ever. Here are three technologies that are helping life sciences and healthcare organizations meet the sector's increasingly exacting requirements.

Hyster Company is testing high capacity lift trucks with electric motors. The company suggests that, in the near future, ports and heavy industry will be able to electrify their big truck fleets, producing zero emissions while achieving comparable full shift performance.

Gelnius’ new technology platform has the ability to save money based on customers achieving reduced transportation cost and better management of administration overhead, as well as cost savings linked to visibility of all freight transactions on a single platform.

The deal comes at a critical time for the Silicon Valley-based electric car company, as it prepares for Model 3 production and readies to face one of the largest growth phases in the company’s history.

Transportation has been on a transformative tear for the past few years, boosting the use of digital platforms to do more for shippers, carriers, logistics companies and other stakeholders. Here are a few ideas on what we should expect in 2019 and 2020.

As a booming economy, an aging and shrinking driver workforce, and the new EDL mandate combine with other factors to create a truckload capacity shortage, shippers have to change how they do business to make sure they can move goods. Experts share how to survive in a new economy where truckers are in the driver’s seat in more ways than one.

In an effort to apply blockchain to the world’s global supply chain, Maersk Line and IBM have collaborated to develop TradeLens, a blockchain-enabled shipping solution to promote more efficient and secure global trade, bring together supply chain partners to support information sharing and transparency, and encourage industry-wide innovation.

Tech trends enable strategies that are reshaping global supply chains. These new technologies complement each other; used in combination they create synergies far beyond their individual impacts. Here are five key strategies that technologies of the near future will empower.

Due to the sensitive nature of the products Allied exports, the distributor turned to automation to stay on top of increasingly complex and rapidly changing international trade policies, regulations, sanctions, and restricted party lists, which in some cases change overnight.

When efficiency is the primary focus in integrated supply chain management, every little bit that helps to tighten both front- and back-end processes helps. Increasingly, companies in a variety of verticals are achieving such efficiencies by leaning on disruptive technologies.

For shippers, importing to and exporting from Mexico can present a unique set of challenges. One of the toughest challenges that cross-border shippers in today’s market face is securing high quality capacity on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Brace yourself for some mechanical marvels that could punch up DC and factory productivity. Fighting gravity, strain, and injury, these mechanized support systems give warehouse and assembly line workers near-superhero strength and Iron Man-like stamina

Is more always better? When it comes to a shipper's supply chain and big data, more data doesn't necessarily equate to better productivity. How you leverage and utilize the influx of data is what's key. Use these tips to utilize big data to drive performance in their supply chains.

Microsoft has entered a partnership with ocean carrier OOCL to develop artificial intelligence (AI) in shipping, with the goal of helping Microsoft better understand and predict shipping patterns and variables.

Blockchain technology creates a global and trustworthy history of a product—from transaction to production to consumption. It has the potential to revolutionize workflows across international borders, empowering an automated, connected supply chain with simplicity and traceability.

Retailers and manufacturers are beginning to seek a solution to eliminate supply chain silos and transcend the restrictions of traditional TMS static rules and rates that lead to customer disruptions and cost inefficiencies.

Carriers, shippers and logistic service providers are facing new challenges today. With digitalization, all players in the supply chain will require instant and efficient response time to their questions or concerns.

To find additional capacity, strategic, proactive sourcing methods based on technology specifically created for transportation procurement can uncover hidden carrier capacity by connecting shippers to logistics service providers.

When we said 2017 was one of the most disruptive years for global supply chains in recent years, thanks to natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts, and regulatory upheaval, we couldn’t have foreseen the twists and turns that would take shape in 2018.

Having tools such as predictive analytics technology integrated with artificial intelligence while still enthusiastically embracing the craft of logistics will be how our industry truly innovates for our clients.

Seeing what’s happening throughout the supply chain is essential in today’s always-on, omnichannel shipping environment. Here’s how businesses can gain the insight and control they need as they move their goods around the globe.

Shippers express concern about finding capacity, but how do carriers see the situation? To find out, Transporeon Group, a cloud-based supply chain execution platform provider, surveyed its base of more than 3,000 North American logistics service providers.

MIT and JDA Software will team up to advance research on intelligent supply chains, including machine learning, optimization, and consumer behavior modeling. The collaboration leverages both parties' business domain expertise and customer base.

Digital loadboards are transforming the spot market from a people business to a fast-paced online marketplace that matches freight and shippers faster than ever. Shippers can tap into the flexibility of the spot market while working with carriers that meet their standards.

Supply chain technology ecosystems are evolving as once distinct processes for executing TMS, WMS and YMS functions converge. Is the best path forward stitching together a trifecta of best-of-breed technologies, or going all-in on a single instance, single platform for all three?

Vendor-managed inventory partnerships strive to improve efficiency by allowing suppliers to maintain the inventory of their products at the stores and other locations operated by their partners in the supply chain. VMI relies on a tight-knit collaboration between supplier and buyer to improve product availability while decreasing excess inventory.

E-commerce is redrawing the landscape for freight transportation. Do truckload carriers have a place in this new world of high-velocity supply chains, especially as shipments get smaller and delivery windows shrink?

This story looks at some ways in which companies are using IoT or IIoT technology along the supply chain and discusses the added value companies will gain as they move from discrete applications to integrated ones.

As more consumers choose e-commerce for a variety of goods, how are less-than-truckload carriers being impacted? Trucking companies are developing new strategies to serve retailers and manufacturers creating the goods that impatient consumers expect fast and free.

At its core, a TMS is charged with moving an order through your system and settling it in the most efficient and cost-effective way. Regardless of your specific needs, today’s challenges require a new approach for evaluating which TMS is best for your organization.

Eighty-four percent of industrial companies face a disconnect between data from connected devices and strategic decision making and operations, limiting the Internet of Thing's (IoT) digital transformation potential, according to a research study conducted by IFS, a global enterprise applications company.

As ocean shipping becomes increasingly digitized, blockchain will play a key role, providing authenticated data and bringing costs down. Here’s what SMBs should be doing now to get ready for a blockchain future.

Selecting a transportation mode and carrier isn’t as simple as identifying the fastest or least expensive option. It’s a complicated process that takes into account timelines and risks as well as budgets. Industry experts share best practices that will help save money and prevent costly mistakes.

The logistics sector’s reliance on relationships, email, and spreadsheet attachments makes it particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks. And the costs are staggering. Find out what shippers can do to make communications more secure.

While much of the attention surrounding autonomous vehicles (AVs) is focused on self-driving cars, the real impact will be felt in the shipping, trucking and logistics industries, where AVs will have a dramatic effect.

This story provides an update on the state of intermodal transportation in the U.S., including the conditions driving shippers to make greater use of intermodal, moves the railroads are making to improve service, and the factors that help to determine whether a shipment should go intermodal or over the road.

Drone technology company Flytrex, in partnership with Aha.is—Iceland's largest online marketplace—launched 13 new routes for an autonomous on-demand urban drone delivery service to serve nearly half of Reykjavik.

Slightly fewer than half of fleet operators responding to a Coretex Electronic Logging Device (ELD) satisfaction survey say the mandate is good for the transportation industry. Coretex surveyed 303 U.S. trucking companies of various sizes.

According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the industry expected a driver shortage of more than 50,000 at the end of 2017. Unfortunately, it’s projected to only get worse. By the ATA’s projections, the shortage could extend to more than 174,000 drivers by 2026.

Is more always better? When it comes to a shipper's supply chain and big data, more data doesn't necessarily equate to better productivity. How you leverage and utilize the influx of data is what's key. Use these tips to utilize big data to drive performance in their supply chains.

Investing in new and improved information technology and robotic process automation (RPA), talent shortages, and trade protectionism are predicted to be the top trends in service delivery for 2018 and the next several years, according to the latest quarterly KPMG Global Insights Pulse survey.

With a digital model of the global supply chain, companies can realize collaboration, automation, analytics and flexibility. The result is a transformed global supply chain with improved margins, greater agility, and reduced risk.

With its distribution center approaching capacity, Michael Kors had several options to consider, including one that would expand the existing facility. The fashion company turned to supply chain software company LLamasoft for help evaluating possible solutions. The collaboration also led to Michael Kors developing a core supply chain decision-making capability as well as systems it could use for other purposes.

With one in every six jobs now tied to manufacturing, American-made products are making a profound comeback in today’s progressive U.S. economy. Known as Industry 4.0, this trending wave of innovative disruptors - 3D printing, robotics, big data, and the Internet of Things - is changing the global supply chain and the world's geo-political view of American manufacturing.

The perfect storm is here: between the back-to-back hurricanes of 2017, the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate going into effect, and the ongoing driver shortage crisis, the transportation industry is experiencing a critical capacity crunch.

Many companies handle supply chain anomalies with reactive planning systems, but this approach leaves them vulnerable to disruption. One new approach to dealing with supply chain uncertainty is to use machine learning to predict what might go wrong.

The continued migration of people to cities and increase in online shopping will generate more freight deliveries to and within urban areas. Let’s talk about your company’s futureproof strategy to meet the challenges and opportunities of smart city logistics head-on.

Amazon receives patent to parachute packages from the sky; Supply chain stakeholders double down on climate change; Retailers losing up to 70 percent of order value to fulfillment costs; U.S. manufacturing, logistics industries grew dramatically over last generation;

Follow these 8 steps to reap significant cost savings and performance enhancements while also reducing the use of limited natural resources and mitigating the negative environmental effects of transportation-related emissions.

Supply chain collaboration (SCC) is vital for companies to make critical decisions quickly and outpace the competition. But, are the key concepts of collaboration a current reality or a myth? This article breaks them down.